I’M AMY LU IN WASHINGTON WITH HOW THE PENTAGON SAYS THAT MONEY WILL BE SPENT. WVTM 13 NEWS STARTS NOW WITH BREAKING NEWS IN SPANISH. AUTHORITIES HAVE RECOVERED THE BODY OF A UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STUDENT WHO DISAPPEARED IN BARCELONA. THE BODY OF JIMMY GRAYSVILLE WAS FOUND AT SEA AND WVTM 13 MYA CALEB HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY FOR US. SHE’S JOINING US LIVE RIGHT NOW IN TUSCALOOSA AND MYA. YOU’VE BEEN GATHERING INFORMATION USING INTERNATIONAL SOURCES TODAY. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED? CARLA EL PERIODICO SAYS DIVERS BEGAN SEARCHING THE WATERS AFTER A WITNESS INFORMED POLICE OF A YOUNG MAN THEY SAW WALKING TOWARD THE SEA, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE NEWSPAPERS. IN SPAIN, A WALLET WAS FOUND FIRST, THEN THE BODY OF JIMMY GRACIE WAS FOUND AT SEA OFF THE COAST OF BARCELONA. EL PERIODICO IS REPORTING THAT SECURITY FOOTAGE SHOWS GRACIE WAS NOT ALONE WHEN HE LEFT THE NIGHTCLUB, BUT POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON HE WAS WITH. OFFICIALS ARE SAYING THAT THEY NO LONGER BELIEVE THERE WAS FOUL PLAY. MYA, I KNOW YOU ALSO HEARD FROM THE FAMILY TODAY. I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THEY’RE FEELING. YES, I DID GET THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH JIMMY GRACIE’S AUNT EARLIER, AND SHE SENT US A STATEMENT THAT CAME FROM THE FAMILY. AND THAT STATEMENT READS, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE KINDNESS AND CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN FOR OUR FAMILY DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. WE HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO PAUSE MEDIA INTERVIEWS AT THIS TIME TO FOCUS ON BEING TOGETHER AND CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER. THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING OUR PRIVACY AND HOLDING OUR FAMILY IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. WE WILL SHARE UPDATES IF AND WHEN WE’RE ABLE. AND WE RECEIVED A STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SHORTLY BEFORE THE START OF THIS NEWSCAST THAT SAYS, IN PART, JIMMY’S LOSS IS DEEPLY FELT ACROSS OUR CAMPUS. OUR CONDOLENCES ARE WITH THE GRACIE FAMILY DURING THIS DEVASTATING TIME. THE REST OF THAT STATEMENT IS ON OUR WEBSITE, AS WELL AS MORE DETAILS FRO
Body of Alabama student missing in Barcelona found at sea
Updated: 7:14 PM CDT Mar 19, 2026
Timeline | Family “struggling to come to terms” | University of Alabama “heartbroken” | Leaders respondThe body of University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey was found Thursday at sea after he was reported missing in Barcelona while visiting friends.The body was found in the waters off the beaches of Barcelona near Port Olímpic by the dive team, according to La Vanguardia. The newspaper is also reporting that Gracey’s father has been notified and foul play has been ruled out. Latest Updates The Gracey family released a statement, saying they are heartbroken and “Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss. “”University of Alabama releases statement, saying “the loss is deeply felt across our campus.” The body of Jimmy Gracey was found at sea off the coast of Barcelona, according to La Vanguardia.Foul play has been ruled out, according to La Vanguardia. ResponsesThe family”Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world – so many helped to share Jimmy’s story and bring his life to light so that others may know him.”We also sincerely appreciate the continued support and coordination of the local authorities and the U.S. Consulate as we work to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. As we navigate this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family.”The University of Alabama”The University of Alabama community is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey,” the university said in a statement. “Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve. The University has been in close contact with the family throughout the week and will continue to provide support to them and to Jimmy’s friends, classmates, and all members of our community who are affected by this tragedy. Counseling and support resources are available to students by calling UAPD at 205-348-5454, and to other members of the UA community via the Employee Assistance Program at 888-283-3515.”The U.S. State DepartmentThe U.S. State Department declined to provide details to CNN, citing “privacy concerns and other considerations.”The search James “Jimmy” Gracey, 20, was last seen at Shôko, a beachfront nightclub, around 3 a.m. on March 17. A friend who was with him left, but he stayed and never returned to the Airbnb, according to his mother.Security footage shows that Gracey was not alone when he left the nightclub, according to El Periodico. Police have not released the identity of the person who was with him.Sources within the Catalan Police Department informed El Periodico that a search at sea was launched Thursday morning after a witness told police that a young man was seen walking toward the sea. Sources told the newspaper that Gracey’s wallet was found in the sea during the search, but police have not independently verified that. Watch WVTM 13 coverage during the search below.Police have James Gracey’s phone, according to his mother, who said it was recovered after being stolen. The Catalan police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, is investigating, it said.There were several agencies involved in the search for Gracey, including:Sen. Katie Britt’s officeThe U.S. EmbassyThe State DepartmentCatalan policeA spokesperson for the University of Alabama told WVTM 13 on Tuesday that school officials were in contact with his family.“James Paul Gracey is a UA student on a personal trip. UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,” the statement said.About Jimmy Jimmy is from Elmhurst, IllinoisHe is 20 and a junior at UAHe is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and about 175 poundsAnyone with information is asked to call 224-505-3886.Below is the last photo taken of Jimmy before he went missing, according to his mother.”He’s a great person, he’s a great guy, a man of upstanding character. He’s one of those people that’s there for anyone when they ever need it,” said Theta Chi fraternity brother Cavin McLay.According to McLay, Gracey served as chaplain of Theta Chi’s executive board. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
BARCELONA, Conn. —
Timeline | Family “struggling to come to terms” | University of Alabama “heartbroken” | Leaders respond
The body of University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey was found Thursday at sea after he was reported missing in Barcelona while visiting friends.
The body was found in the waters off the beaches of Barcelona near Port Olímpic by the dive team, according to La Vanguardia. The newspaper is also reporting that Gracey’s father has been notified and foul play has been ruled out.
Latest Updates The Gracey family released a statement, saying they are heartbroken and “Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss. ““University of Alabama releases statement, saying “the loss is deeply felt across our campus.” The body of Jimmy Gracey was found at sea off the coast of Barcelona, according to La Vanguardia.Foul play has been ruled out, according to La Vanguardia.
Responses
The family
“Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.
“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world – so many helped to share Jimmy’s story and bring his life to light so that others may know him.
“We also sincerely appreciate the continued support and coordination of the local authorities and the U.S. Consulate as we work to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. As we navigate this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family.”
The University of Alabama
“The University of Alabama community is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey,” the university said in a statement. “Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve. The University has been in close contact with the family throughout the week and will continue to provide support to them and to Jimmy’s friends, classmates, and all members of our community who are affected by this tragedy. Counseling and support resources are available to students by calling UAPD at 205-348-5454, and to other members of the UA community via the Employee Assistance Program at 888-283-3515.”
The U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department declined to provide details to CNN, citing “privacy concerns and other considerations.”
The search
James “Jimmy” Gracey, 20, was last seen at Shôko, a beachfront nightclub, around 3 a.m. on March 17. A friend who was with him left, but he stayed and never returned to the Airbnb, according to his mother.
Security footage shows that Gracey was not alone when he left the nightclub, according to El Periodico. Police have not released the identity of the person who was with him.
Sources within the Catalan Police Department informed El Periodico that a search at sea was launched Thursday morning after a witness told police that a young man was seen walking toward the sea. Sources told the newspaper that Gracey’s wallet was found in the sea during the search, but police have not independently verified that.
Watch WVTM 13 coverage during the search below.
Police have James Gracey’s phone, according to his mother, who said it was recovered after being stolen. The Catalan police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, is investigating, it said.
There were several agencies involved in the search for Gracey, including:
Sen. Katie Britt’s officeThe U.S. EmbassyThe State DepartmentCatalan police
A spokesperson for the University of Alabama told WVTM 13 on Tuesday that school officials were in contact with his family.
“James Paul Gracey is a UA student on a personal trip. UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,” the statement said.
About Jimmy Jimmy is from Elmhurst, IllinoisHe is 20 and a junior at UAHe is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and about 175 poundsAnyone with information is asked to call 224-505-3886.
Below is the last photo taken of Jimmy before he went missing, according to his mother.
“He’s a great person, he’s a great guy, a man of upstanding character. He’s one of those people that’s there for anyone when they ever need it,” said Theta Chi fraternity brother Cavin McLay.
According to McLay, Gracey served as chaplain of Theta Chi’s executive board.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.